Review: Henry The Chap Hits the Alt/Lo-fi Scene with “Doh + Puh + Meen”

Perhaps best described as alternative lo-fi, “Doh + Puh + Meen” is Henry The Chap’s first step into the wild world of solo artistry, and what a step it is. You probably know Henry from his work in retro rock duo, Ruen Brothers. Yeah, this sounds nothing like that, but I find that it’s so telling of his range as both a singer and songwriter – not everyone can go from 50s and 60s flavored rock to modern lo-fi synth magic as effortlessly as he does. 

Clocking in at just barely over 2 minutes, “Doh + Puh + Meen” hits quick, much like a hit of the real thing. It’s bouncy, it’s catchy – it’ll get stuck in your head for hours if you let it. Self-produced in an apartment in Brooklyn with the help of a few friends, this is the beginning of a new chapter for The Chap, and what a way to kick things off!

With animations from Brisbane-based animator, Helena Papageourgiou, parts of the music video take on a Studio Ghibli/My Neighbor Totoro vibe, while the live action portions feel very tastefully homemade, showcasing many of the things that bring The Chap joy, including many-a cameo from The Chap’s treasured cat, Princess Mae Mae. Staying true to the song’s lo-fi roots, the video was shot and edited in vertical, perfect for a quick hit no matter where you are or what you’re doing. 

Different as it may be from his previous work, it still feels authentic. It speaks volumes to The Chap’s eclecticism and it’s just really fun to listen to. With a title like “Doh + Puh + Meen,” I suppose it would have to be!

Get your feel-good on and go give this one a stream or two; you’ll be glad you did!

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Review: Moon City Masters Release 'No Warning'

Rock duo, Moon City Masters, never do just the bare minimum. Every single thing they release, from the music to the cover art and videos that come along with it, is a bright and beaming reflection of their passion and talent. With the latest release of ‘No Warning’, a neo-classic rock anthem, it is no different; the brothers continue to give us their all.

‘No Warning’ serves up rolling guitar riffs, toe-tapping percussion, and vocal harmonies that could fly you to the moon and back. For a two piece, their sound is incredibly robust.

Now, the tune may be upbeat and a temptress to swaying back and forth, but the topic is a little dark. At it’s core, ‘No Warning’ is about how things may get bad and we may not get a warning, so we might as well enjoy the music and live in the moment. It’s the kind of song you can keep on repeat for hours. It brings you comfort and assurance that everything is going to be ok.

If you’re ever in a slump thinking you missed the best days of rock ‘n’ roll, turn on Moon City Masters and you’ll experience your own slice of rock n roll heaven. I think you’ll agree once you give this track a listen…

Album Review: Blacktop Mojo's Self-Titled

The gentlemen from Palestine, Texas, Blacktop Mojo, are back! And they are here to preach the good faith of rock ’n’ roll in their self-titled fourth studio album.

From 2014 to 2021, Blacktop Mojo have been traveling the world carrying southern rock right on their back. Even though their sound and style have been consistent, they have evolved as rock musicians as well and fully demonstrate this on their latest studio album 

For album 4, it kicks off groovy and hard hitting with their second single release “Wicked Woman”. The opening chant and riff to this song sets a precedence for the album as you’re taken on a ride. 

Songs such as “Bed Tundy”, “Do It For The Money” and “Wicked Woman” are hard rock bangers with some of the best riffs they’ve put down, while others such as “ Latex”, “Jealously” and “Hold Me Down” are their rock ballads featuring absolutely amazing solos from guitarists Chuck Wepfer & Ryan Kiefer

Back in July, lead singer Matt James and I had an awesome interview discussing this album and other things such as Whattaburger VS In-N-Out. (Watch it below)

With creative lyrics & themes, great breakdowns, and shredding solos, Blacktop Mojo have grown into their shit-kickers, and even put on some blue suede shoes to match Matt James blue leopard pants. For their fourth self titled album, Blacktop Mojo show fans a raw artistic form with some rock ’n’ roll hits, two stepping jams, and good ol’ fashioned blues making album 4 a stand out for 2021. 

Blacktop Mojo Live Tour Dates:
08/17 @ The End - Nashville, TN
08/18 @ Growlers - Memphis, TN
08/21 @ The Red Shed - Hutchinson, KS
08/22 @ Jakes - Lubbock, TX
09/03 @ Art Theater - Hobart, IN
09/04 @ Wisconsin Harley-Davidson - Oconomowoc, WI
09/05 @ Diamond Concert Hall - Louisville, KY

“Let’s Go Cosmic, Shall We?”: Greta Van Fleet Take Us to “Strange Horizons” and Beyond

Greta Van Fleet kicked off their Strange Horizons Tour to two sold out audiences - their first public shows in over a year - last week in Franklin, Tennessee. Long-time fans were chomping at the bit to get back into the GVF live grind, and many newer fans, like myself, were experiencing this band’s live magic for the very first time. I was lucky enough to attend both shows from the pit, and what follows is both a review and an account of my experiences of nights one and two of Strange Horizons!

I’ll be honest, I went into this experience just a little bit biased – I love GVF, and I knew I was going to enjoy these shows. That said, after watching several live videos in the weeks before the shows to get hyped up and reading so many fan accounts of show experiences in years past, I had pretty high expectations too. The short and sweet of it all? Greta Van Fleet met and surpassed every single expectation I had for these shows. 

The venue they chose was absolutely beautiful. You could tell the band had a hand in choosing where they were playing. FirstBank Amphitheater is nestled into Graystone Quarry in the Thompson’s Station township just outside of Franklin, Tennessee, and it is unlike any venue I’ve ever seen before. I was in the pit for both shows and I found myself continuously looking around and behind me at the natural rock walls surrounding the bowl and the view above those walls as the sun set. The natural beauty of it all made it the perfect environment to take in the spectacle that was Strange Horizons. 

The band also had a hand in choosing their opening acts, and man, did they make some fantastic choices. I made a point to listen to both of these artists well ahead of the show so I’d be fully prepared to take in their live sets, and I was not disappointed. Cedric Burnside took the stage first and blessed the audience with some of the richest and smoothest blues I’ve ever heard in my life. Vocally, he was spot-on; his live vocals were virtually indistinguishable from his studio work. The man has an incredible voice. His guitar playing was also something to behold, and when he would solo the audience would cheer him on and hype him up. It was so cool being able to see his reaction to that – you could tell he was having fun. Shovels & Rope, a folk rock duo from South Carolina, followed him, and within seconds they had the crowd on their feet. They too delivered absolutely incredible vocals and their harmony blend was perfect. I’ve never seen a duo more equipped to make music together than these two. They debuted a couple of new songs that were very well-received, and rightfully so. Shovels & Rope are two of the best songwriters I’ve ever had the privilege to see live, and their set was intoxicating. 

What amazed me most about both openers was how they did so much with so little. Cedric Burnside performed with nothing more than his voice, his guitar, and a drummer. Shovels & Rope performed with nothing more than their voices, a guitar, and a drum set-keyboard combo that was played with only two hands and a foot. I couldn’t believe the sounds they were all able to produce; I didn’t find that anything was missing, despite neither opener using a bass of any kind. Their sets sounded rich and full, and they kept the audience enthralled and on their feet. They were very well-received, and for good reason; Cedric Burnside and Shovels & Rope are two of the most talented artists out there right now and I’m so glad GVF turned me on to them. 

Watching the stage be set up for Greta Van Fleet’s set was something to behold. Their set was hidden behind a black curtain during Burnside’s and Shovels & Ropes’ sets and was finally revealed just as it was starting to get dark outside. You wouldn’t believe the roars the crowd let out as the crew pulled that curtain down, and for good reason. The entire set was marble white, very reminiscent of the “Heat Above” music video, with some fascinating standing light structures, and the Battle at Garden’s Gate logo front and center on Danny Wagner’s drum kit. It was a GVF fan’s dream, and since night one was the very first time anyone had ever laid eyes on this set, it was extra special. It was fascinating watching the crew pick up the gray carpets the opening acts played on to reveal the marble white floor below, especially when they began to Swiffer the stage (likely to ensure that Josh and Sam Kiszka, who perform barefoot, don’t step on anything and hurt themselves!). This was something I’d never seen happening before during a set change, and I was enthralled. 

The vibe before the show even began was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. For the first time, I truly felt like I was at home. I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears when the people around me were also jamming out to the pre-show playlist, featuring bands like The Beatles, the Plastic Ono Band, and Jethro Tull – bands I had only ever listened to alone. Suddenly I was surrounded by people who shared my taste in music and my passion for rock ‘n’ roll. At that point I was certain, both nights, that these would be some of the greatest shows of my life. 

One of my favorite moments at a show is when the lights go out right before the artist takes the stage. There was something about these shows that made that moment hit a little bit harder for me than it had in years past. I suspect this is likely due in part to the fact that this is something I haven’t really experienced in over a year and a half thanks to the pandemic, but there’s also just something in the air at a Greta Van Fleet show, something that amps up the energy and emotions in the room. When those lights went out, my heart jumped into my throat and I could hardly stand still. 

Greta Van Fleet love a touch of the dramatic, but it’s always so tastefully done, and that’s how I would describe their show intro. Opening first in complete darkness with the sound of Josh Kiszka’s isolated vocals from “Caravel” delivering the line that inspired the tour’s name (“crash against wave upon wave, to strange horizons”), images of the band previously unseen by fans began to flash across the screen as samples from voicemails collected from fans on the topics of peace, love, and unity (GVF’s mantra) were heard. Following the last spoken line of the intro, the intro to “Heat Above” began to build, and like a clap of thunder, the drums kicked in and the audience erupted as singer Josh Kiszka ran out to join the rest of the band onstage. GVF started off so strong, and that strength would last all the way to the very last note. 

You could see the happiness in their faces as they took the stage, especially with guitarist Jake Kiszka as he waved to the crowd. Their energy was contagious; they were just as happy to be back on stage as everyone watching was happy to be back in the crowd. People around me were screaming, laughing, singing, dancing, jumping – after all this time without live music and without GVF shows, suddenly here we were. I think I was in shock. This band that had helped me through some of my most difficult days (and there were plenty of these throughout the pandemic) playing the song that started it all for me was a bit overwhelming, though I couldn’t have asked for a better opening song. I sang along, I laughed, and I cried. It was a magical moment, to say the least. 

Greta Van Fleet delivered a studio quality performance without it seeming staged or robotic. They’re just that good. I couldn’t help but be impressed at how high energy each member of the band remained throughout the show, particularly singer Josh Kiszka with his constant running and bouncing around the stage, never seeming to fall short of breath, and guitarist Jake Kiszka with his own brand of back-breaking acrobatics. 

I believe the reason Greta Van Fleet is so good live is because they’re truly passionate about what they’re doing. You can see it in Josh when he closes his eyes and pours his soul into the most incredible vocal line you’ve ever heard. You can see it in Jake when he takes center stage and gets lost in a solo. You can see it in Sammy’s famous bass faces and the focus he has at his keyboards when he’s playing with his hands and feet at the same time. You can see it in Danny’s face when he walks out onto the stage and is met with rabid applause and when he takes his turn soloing. They don’t just walk out on stage and half-ass it. They care so deeply about the music they create and they have just as much fun on stage as fans have in the crowd, and it shows. Their passion for what they’re doing makes the show that much more fun. The crowd absolutely fed off of that energy, and it was remarkable to me the control Josh had over the crowd as a result. When he asks a question, you answer. When he wails, you wail. When he throws his hands up, you throw your hands up. It’s almost instinctual. I didn’t have to think about it, I just followed his lead.

Having released their latest record, The Battle at Garden’s Gate, this past April, they made an excellent effort to ensure that their set was an even blend of their older stuff and their newest. Obviously we all wished we could hear them play every single song in their discography, but it’s just not feasible. Something I especially loved was how they don’t necessarily focus all their time on the hits. Sure, they kind of have to play “Highway Tune,” and they played their fair share of radio singles, but they also weren’t afraid to leave some singles out (e.g., “You’re The One”) in favor of some deeper cuts (e.g., “Watching Over”). It wasn’t about churning out song after song just to get them played; most songs played had an extended jam attached to them, and each captivated the crowd in their own way. “Age of Man” had everyone drowning in emotion, whereas “When The Curtain Falls” had everyone jumping and scream-singing as loud as they could. “The Weight of Dreams” had everyone getting lost in Jake’s mind-blowing solos, whereas “Light My Love” had everyone falling in love – I heard that a couple got engaged during this one on night one (congrats to you!). 

You can tell how much care went into every little piece of this tour. The opening acts were hand-picked by the band; they chose artists that they genuinely enjoy listening to that they also believe their fans will enjoy. The set was held back and turned into a big reveal, something the band had to know the fans would love. The venue was chosen because they knew their fans share their love of nature. Josh ran out into the pit and handed out white roses (I got one!) because he knows that doing so absolutely makes the night of anyone who receives one. Certain songs were played because the fans love them (though there were some they didn’t play that I certainly wouldn’t have been mad to hear!). When it comes down to it, GVF cares deeply about their fans and wants them to have the best time imaginable at their shows, and that concept absolutely came through during Strange Horizons.  

Though most diehard Greta Van Fleet fans likely wouldn’t cite “Highway Tune” as their all-time favorite (it seems that we prefer the deeper cuts!), the energy created in the room when the band launched into that one was insane. Despite his particular but light-hearted aversion to the track, Josh had a lot of fun with it, and you could tell that he enjoyed performing it. He had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand with this one, being met with cacophonous cheers as the song paused and he shouted “you want it?” He controlled the room, and he knew it, but he wasn’t cocky about it. He just seemed happy to be loved, and it was a delight being able to see his face as the crowd riled him up. 

What I discovered about Greta Van Fleet shows that make them so different from anything else I’ve ever seen is the comradery amongst their fans. Never have I ever attended a show and actually talked to and befriended everyone standing around me. Fans who know will tell you: if you go to a show alone, you’ll have made so many friends by the end of the night. And it’s true! For Greta Van Fleet fans, seeing them live is about far more than just the show. It’s about finally meeting the friends you’ve made online from all over the world, it’s about meeting new friends at the various fan meetups planned by both fans and the band themselves, it’s about family. That’s what the Peaceful Army is – one big GVF family. 

I met people from everywhere. I spent my second night in the pit with fellow solo concert goers from Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and who knows where else. I met people at fan meet-ups from Indiana, Ohio, New York, Mississippi – I’d be willing to bet a solid 25 of the 50 states were represented at these shows! I saw that someone in the parking lot next to me had a parking tag from the university I graduated from earlier this year in Arkansas. Oh, and most importantly, I spent night one in the pit with fellow Banded contributors Baylee Avery from Texas and Kiki Gilligan from Massachusetts. These were more than just shows to us. They were the most beautiful family reunions you’ll ever attend, ones where it’s okay to get swept up in emotion, ones where it’s okay to feel every ounce of music from your feet to the top of your head, ones where it’s okay to freak out a little, and ones where it’s okay to be your true authentic self, even if it’s just for one night.   

The best way I can describe it is “cosmic.” I felt like I was taken to outer space, got to see this world in a whole new way, and then taken back down to the surface. I feel recharged and renewed, I feel confident, I feel lucky, but most of all, I feel happy and oh so grateful to have been able to be a part of it. These two nights of the Strange Horizons Tour were ones I won’t soon forget, and the high I felt will be one that I’m forever chasing. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better first live GVF experience. Every mile driven, every minute spent waiting on aching feet, it was worth every bit of it. I will forever be “choosing the road” for this band, and I really think you should too. 

I think the best thing I can leave you with is a quote from Josh Kiszka that made its way into both shows, something that I expect future audiences will hear again, and something that has stuck with me in a profound way:

“Live your legend through the intelligence of love. And fuck fear.
”

— Josh Kiszka

I think that should be the mantra for Strange Horizons, don’t you? 

---

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Interview: Love The Hate

Last Saturday, bassist from Love The Hate, Leon Craft, sat down with me on a zoom call to discuss their latest hit single “Solid Ground”, the state of the band going forward into 2021 - 2022, how the band itself was formed and even some nerd talk on Marvel and The Witcher. 

For their first single of 2021, Solid Ground provides an inspiring theme we all have faced at one point in our life: finding a solid ground. Beautifully crafted 2000’s vocals vibe, head banging guitars on the chorus and breakdown, thunderous drums beating on your heart as you soak in the lyrics, and perfectly mixed production make this a solid return for the Alabama based rock band. 

Love The Hate have found their solid ground for 2021, be on the look out for their next single to be released later this year. 

Our full interview is down below….

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Joyous Wolf Drops Catchy, Energetic New Single “Fearless”

Orange County rockers Joyous Wolf are back and bringing the heat with their newest single, “Fearless”, released July 30th on Roadrunner Records. 

The song, which is the first release off the band’s forthcoming album, is a high-energy anthem about living fully and unafraid, like we did as children. Frontman Nick Reese soars on this track, with his most impressive vocals to date, and guitarist Blake Allard tears it up with a fiery, in-your-face solo. Getting to hear this song live on the band’s recent tour with Dirty Honey was quite a treat, and made me even more excited for the album’s release in the hopefully-near future. 

Joyous Wolf have come to develop a signature sound that is 100% their own, pure rock & roll with a raw edge, unapologetic and daring. As well, “Fearless”, from a listener’s perspective, could be described as the love child of Montrose and Boston. 

Reese shares that “Fearless” is somewhat of a “wild card”, being finished during the band’s final days in the studio working on the upcoming album. During recording, he reflected on the unafraid nature most of us possess as children, and how it seems to turn into fear as life happens, and we get older. “For the most part, I like to believe we are born fearless, and we are conditioned to be afraid.” 

“Fearless” is available now on all streaming services. You can check out the companion music video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNGaY7ta8Xs) and visit joyouswolf.com for all the latest updates. 

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Interview + Review: Of Limbo's “Running Out Of Time”

Southern California Wild Boys, Of Limbo, are back with another summer banger for you to blast on these last few months of beach weather. 

Last Saturday, July 31 2021, I had an exclusive zoom interview with professional ragers & brothers Jake and Luke Davies. Fresh off a wild night and packing up for a 4 date tour with Candlebox, we had a blast discussing this new hit being released Aug 6 2021, new music to come, gear talk, being back on tour and more.

The song “ Running Out Of Time” had actually already been in the works back in 2018 when they thankfully came out unscathed in a horrible car accident. Jake discussed how this song hit a different tone afterwards when it came to recording; live for the moment while you still have the time to. 

That outlook directly transcribes into this song: deep cut edgy lyrics, a thrasher lead riff from Luke, incredibly tight sounding drums, and a warm bass tone underlining it all. 

From coming off a huge hit with “Get On It”, the party rockers take a different road with “Running Out Of Time” but still bring that kickass rock’n’roll that you love. 

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MÅNESKIN TAKE OVER THE WORLD

Måneskin (moonlight in Danish) is an Italian rock band that attended XFACTOR 2017 and paved their way to success with their debut song ‘Chosen’ and the famous cover ‘Beggin’.’

The band members are Damiano David (singer), Victoria De Angelis (bassist), Thomas Raggi (guitarist) and Ethan Torchio (drummer). They’re all in their 20s.

Måneskin came out with hits like ‘Torna a casa’ (Come back home in English) and ‘Zitti e buoni’ in the following years. ‘Zitti e buoni ‘(Be quiet and behave) is also the song they played at Sanremo and Eurovision, and won them both with. After Eurovison their success increased and their reach spanned many countries such as the US who promoted them in Times Square.

EUROVISION

Måneskin attended the Eurovision competition with their hit song ‘Zitti e Buoni’ in Rotterdam, Netherlands. They competed against all European countries plus some outside of it.

They not only won Eurovison but people’ hearts with their music, and kisses between the male members; a powerful and risky move considering some countries are against LGBT + rights. The public loved their audacity and praised them for continuing to represent the community.

TIMES SQUARE

Maneskin appeared on Spotify Times Square’s Billboard on July 2, 2021 with a new picture of them with a white star on a red wallpaper behind them. This happened almost two weeks before the ‘I wanna be your slave music’ video (an important video for the fans) premiered, .

The band proudly announced this achievement on the social medias writing: “find us in Times Square” and changed all their icons replacing their old profile pictures with the ones from this photoshoot.

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE

‘I wanna be your slave’ is one of their most played songs. The music video has garnered 21 Billion views on YouTube. The video highlights the sexual message of the song and shows the band members in a way never seen before with iconic outfits and production. The video is full of kinks and symbols such as Victoria licking the apple, the Original Sin.

Fan thoughts:

“I’m just in love with it. They show kinks with other taboos and this is fantastic, I have no other words for it.”

“The video is coherent with the song lyrics. As the guys said, it represent all kinds of pleasure and it’s obvious not everyone likes them.”

“I love that Måneskin is not afraid of LGBT + criticism.”

“How many stereotypes do you wanna break in one video? Måneskin: Yes”

LUPA CAPITOLINA

On July 27th 2021, Måneskin were awarded the “Lupa Capitolina” the symbol of Rome at the Capitol by the Rome Mayor, Virginia Raggi. This means that Måneskin represents the city of Rome, the capital of Italy. This occasion was announced a new Italian date in Rome at the Circus Maximus on July 09 2022.

The band is also now the 14th most streamed worldwide artist/band on Spotify with more than 50 billion of monthly listeners.

This is just the beginning of the international journey Måneskin are going to take. They’ve also shared that in the future they’re going to write more english songs. This is a great news for the international fans who will be able to fully understand Måneskin lyrics, but it’s important to highlight how the Italian songs made people want to learn the band native language.

Foo Fighters & Radkey Light Up Cincinnati on First Tour Stop

The return of live music had Cincinnati buzzing, as Foo Fighters and Radkey brought the fire to the Queen City last Wednesday night for a sold-out show at the brand new ICON Music Center in the heart of downtown. The event, which sold all 8,000 tickets in merely ten minutes, was the first stop on the band’s 26th anniversary tour, and the energetic crowd in the home state of Dave Grohl himself certainly gave the band a warm welcome back to the stage.

I was lucky enough to win a pair of tickets through a local record store’s raffle (thank you, Shake It Records!) and getting to attend the show (and see Foo Fighters live for the first time) was nothing short of fantastic. 

Hailing from Missouri, openers Radkey are a garage-punk trio consisting of brothers Dee, Isaiah, and Solomon Radke, who grew up homeschooled and cut their teeth on their father’s vast collection of rock, metal, and punk records. Fast-forward to 2021, after being featured in Grohl’s newest documentary, What Drives Us, the band jumped at the opportunity to open for Foo Fighters and be the very first artist to play Cincinnati’s newest venue. Listening to their set, which was chock-full of original songs such as the groovy “Dark Black Makeup” and energetic “Seize”, it’s no wonder the Missouri natives were chosen to open the show. The excitement and energy on stage was palpable, as the brothers gave it their all and put on an electrifying performance, with vocalist/guitarist Dee and bassist Isaiah at one point even playing back-to-back and on their knees during a solo. I was thoroughly impressed by their skill and floored by their stage presence, as was the rest of the crowd, for when the band left the stage after a phenomenal set, people in every direction instantly began Googling their name to find out more. It’s no secret Radkey gained plenty of new fans that night, and surely with each show, their fanbase will grow exponentially. 

As soon as Foo Fighters walked on stage, the crowd went wild. Pure joy and gratitude shone through the facial expressions of all six band members, as they took several moments to just take it all in: the fans, the joy, the excitement, the experience. Opening with fan-favorite “Times Like These”, the band launched into a killer set, complete with jumbo screens, flashing lights, visual effects to boot and a raw, powerful presence that captivated the audience. Dave Grohl memorably asked the crowd, loudly, “Are you ready for some rock & roll?!?!” and proceeded to tell us we were in for a two and a half hour rock show, stating, “You know we have, like, a hundred and seventy-five fuckin’ songs, right?” 

All night long, the band put on a stellar performance, playing their biggest hits from every era, as well as plenty of lesser-known tunes. In addition, for mostly newer songs off of 2020’s Medicine At Midnight, a panel of three talented female backup vocalists joined the band on stage, including Grohl’s teenage daughter Violet, adding a fantastic edge and dazzle to the already-epic show. Later in the night, the band launched into performing some covers, off their newest release under the alter ego Dee Gees, titled, hilariously, Hail Satin, where they tackle disco with a colorful flair. Seemingly everyone in the crowd was up and moving listening to songs like “You Should Be Dancing” and “Night Fever”. Doubling down on the covers, self-proclaimed “biggest Queen fan in the world” Taylor Hawkins even sang a lovely rendition of “Somebody To Love” to a crowd of all ages, who were clearly thrilled to hear such a musical treat. 

After a long and entertaining night, the band closed the show with the classic smash-hit and crowd-pleaser “Everlong”. As the final notes rang out, I stood in awe of the spectacle I just witnessed. With my heart beating, ears ringing, and body sweating, I left the show feeling light, free, and full of good energy. Saying Foo Fighters puts on an amazing show is simply an understatement. Their performance was nothing short of phenomenal, and getting to experience it first-hand was truly a dream come true. 

In conclusion, if you ever get the chance to see Foo Fighters live, take it. You will undoubtedly have the time of your life. 

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Review: The Plot In You Releases “Face Me”

For years fans, myself included, have pondered this one question: will The Plot In You release new music?  And finally after a silent hiatus, we are graced with a new single from their 6th studio album Swan Song slated to be released on September 17, 2021. 

From their first album in 2011, First Born, to their last release in 2018, DISPOSE, The Plot In You have beautifully evolved into what I call an “aggressive delicacy”. Yes their metal/post core ways are a phase they won’t return to, but frontman Landon Tewers hasn’t completely forgotten it, he just matured & composed it into something more.

For their new single “Face Me”, it feels like a nice continuation from DISPOSE in 2018, but with more of that “aggressive delicacy” as I mentioned before. Landon has a way of singing that almost puts you in his mind while the words are coming out. You feel everything he feels. 

Production wise, this song is an A++ as Landon Tewers himself worked on composing it; home studios are becoming the way of the future as artists are taking the time to sculpt their sound. 

Even though on guitars it sounds mostly like power cords at just the chorus and breakdown, it adds to the importance & power behind Landon’s lyrics. 

Landon has stated online he has been working two & half years on this next iteration of The Plot In You, and I am beyond excited to see this masterpiece. 

Review: Ida Mae Cover Every Base With New Record Click Click Domino

Ida Mae dropped their sophomore album, Click Click Domino, this past Friday and to say I’m obsessed would be an understatement. I haven’t been able to turn this record off – it’s a masterpiece from front to back. 

Every track sounds wildly different than the one that came before it, yet the album still feels like a cohesive unit – it still feels like Ida Mae. It’s almost impossible for me to choose a favorite track; that’s how good this record is. Once I think I’ve picked one, I listen to the entire record again and pick up on something in a song that I hadn’t noticed before, and my whole perspective changes. 

Born out of the backseat of a car whilst traveling the road with the likes of Greta Van Fleet and Marcus King, among others, Click Click Domino delivers one of my all-time favorite musical techniques: the blending of the old and the new. Ida Mae mix sounds from vintage American instruments (some instruments being over 100 years old) with modern sounds you might find in today’s rock and pop music in such a brilliant way that you’ll wonder why all musicians don’t do this same thing. 

Within this blend of the old and the new, Ida Mae embrace a wide variety of sounds, perhaps the thing I love most about them, with some songs embodying a folkier, bordering on bluegrass feel with their use of banjo and mandolin (see “Road to Avalon” and “Raining for You”), some songs embracing their blues roots (see “Mountain Lion Blues”), and other songs taking the listener in the direction of hard hitting rock ‘n’ roll (see “Long Gone and Heartworn” and “Click Click Domino”). 

Speaking of Greta Van Fleet and Marcus King, Ida Mae have some talented guitar-playing friends that joined them on Click Click Domino, with Marcus King joining them for two tracks (“Click Click Domino” and “Deep River”) and Jake Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet joining them on one (“Long Gone and Heartworn”). These three tracks are highlights for me, and not just because they’re arguably the three most hard-hitting rock songs on the record, but because they accomplish what so many musical collaborations haven’t. 

History has shown us that getting too much talent in a room or on a stage can often be detrimental to the final product, but that is absolutely NOT the case here. Listening to these tracks, there’s a clear balance of skill and ideas, and you can hear the influence of the guest players without it being overpowering. Marcus King and Jake Kiszka don’t upstage, but instead play as though they’re equal members of Ida Mae, and all together, the end result sounds as if they’ve been making music together for decades. 

As much as I love to rock, the ballads of Click Click Domino stand out to me especially, as this is where Chris Turpin delivers some of his most beautiful, Jeff Buckley-esque vocals (particularly on “Calico Coming Down” and “Line on the Page”). This is also where I feel that Turpin and Stephanie Jean’s harmonies especially shine, as their vocals seem to be more in the forefront where there’s less room for error. It’s proof to me that these two were meant to make music together. 

On first listen, you might miss it, but Click Click Domino is far more than just a pioneer record when it comes to instrumentation, it’s also very impressive lyrically. Click Click Domino is cinematic, romantic, heartbreaking, invigorating, thought-provoking, and many more adjectives that I’m sure you’d prefer not to have to read. 

The album itself functions, I think, as an opportunity to step back from the stress of our technology-filled world and the uncertainty of the past year and a half, a break from the disconnection that can occur as the result of social media, and allows the listener to explore the album’s themes through a unique part-vintage, part-modern lens and to reconnect on a deeper level with their emotions, something that we so often neglect to do. While the instrumentation is complex and unique, there’s still a simplicity to these songs that’s quite alluring, and I find myself continuously going back for taste after taste.

With the Covid-19 pandemic and the current political climate, Click Click Domino comes at a unique time, and as a result, songs that may have meant one thing to their authors when they were written can now take on a multitude of meanings. As time goes on and as the world changes, so will these songs, resulting in a record that’s going to continue to be relevant in the years to come and will stand the test of time. 

Go on, give it a listen and see what you think. No doubt you’ll find some songs that you just can’t get out of your head, and you may even add a couple to your “Favorite Songs of All-Time List.” I know I have. As for me, if you forced me to answer, my current favorites are “Long Gone and Heartworn” and “Has My Midnight Begun,” but if you asked me that same question tomorrow, my answer just might change – the sign of a truly great record.

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Red And The Rebels Release Rockin' Self Titled Debut Album

Austin-based band, Red and the Rebels have released their self-titled debut album and they’re already showing signs of a very promising career in the world of music. If there’s anything that this band is proving so far, it’s that they’re gonna take the rock world by storm. 

Each song displays elements of a 70’s rock ‘n’ roll sound and the first track, “Blue” gives a mental image of driving down the California coast. Not only that, there are also hints of Americana and Folk in some of the songs as well (such as “6th & Main”), which makes the songs especially memorable.

The folk and Americana sound brings in the kind of vibe that just makes you want to relive the 70’s, go to a rock concert and maybe pull a Stevie Nicks and twirl around a little bit. I wonder if you can actually do that at a Red & The Rebels show? Hmm, most likely.

Throughout the album, lead singer Deidre Rodriguez displays some strong vocals. Her sound is very reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks and also a little bit of Kate Bush. Some of her strongest vocal moments come from “6th & Main”, “Woman (Of The World)”, “Lilith’s Fair” and “Golden Hour”.

She’s nothing short of a rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse and is displaying the beauty of the music through her remarkable sound. She has that soul and power that makes us all remember why we love rock ‘n’ roll the way that we do. 

This is one of those albums where each song gets better and better. It also is one of those albums that makes you only want more and more of the music from the band. Whatever this band may do, they’re gonna do it very well.

Ladies and Gentlemen, be on the lookout for Red & The Rebels because they’re going to be selling out stadiums one day.

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Interview: Heartsick at Upheaval Fest

Something that Upheaval Fest, in Grand Rapids Michigan did that I wish other festivals would follow suit, was tap into the local rock & metal scene and showcase them. One of the featured hometown bands for this two day festival was Heartsick, and they brought out the Michigan hardcore.

Just before their set, I had the pleasure to speak with frontman Alfonso Civile and went into great length on the Michigan metal scene, specifically on local producer Josh Schroeder as he has a huge hand in the sound for this band.

Now even though Heartsick was completely new to me prior to coming to Upheaval, they are complete veterans in the Michigan scene and brought a fan base that rivaled the main stage acts. 

When Alfonso came to the stage, the hometown crowd was already in a frenzy, just waiting for that first guttural yell to happen and start the mosh pit. Even coming up & down the hill 5 times, Alfonso mentioned in our interview, his intensity on stage did not falter as he crowd surfed during songs and even even came inside the pit. I am also 100% sure Heartsick did the first wall of death for 2021, and it was a beautiful sight to see.

Their sound from studio recordings to live performance was even better than I was anticipating it to be. Amazing clean vocals, a monstrous guttural yells, disgusting breakdowns, and a stage presence like they were the headlining act, make Heartsick a band to experience. 

Checkout our interview below for all things Heartsick and be sure to stream their new E.P. Cinco on all platforms now. They also will be doing a fall U.S. you with CombiChrist, check for dates near you. 

The Mavericks Return to the Touring Circuit: Review of Their En Español World Tour Kickoff

The Mavericks are back on the road and man, do they put on a show! This past Friday, The Mavericks kicked off their En Español World Tour in Shipshewana, Indiana and the show was absolutely electrifying!  Not only was this the kickoff of The Mavericks’ first tour since the beginning of the pandemic, it was also my very first time seeing them live. What a hell of a way to experience the magic of this band live for the very first time!

The band was met with thunderous applause as they took the stage, with the audience on their feet in a standing ovation before the first note was even played. I suspect this show was also the first taste of live music much of the audience had experienced in over a year, or perhaps the crowd already knew that this show was going to deserve several standing ovations. I myself was seated several rows back, and I found my eyes wandering often from the action on stage to the action in the crowd. Couples were dancing, friends were smiling and singing along at the tops of their lungs, solo concert goers were on their feet and making friends. Every direction you looked you’d find someone completely immersed in the music, expressing themselves in their own unique way. It was an incredible sight to see, especially after so long without live music. I saw people of all ages singing along, dancing – having the time of their lives - and I even saw a couple a few rows up get engaged (to that couple, if this article finds its way to you, congratulations!)! 

Every song was met with feverish applause, and for good reason. The Mavericks recently celebrated their 30th anniversary, but every song played sounded so fresh, no matter when it was originally released. If I didn’t already know the songs and you told me they had been released last week, I’d believe you. Each song was tight and spot-on, and no matter how many times they may have played these songs live over their 30-year career, not a single member of this band seems to be bored with them, and for good reason – these songs are still as incredible today as they were when they were first recorded, be that 30, 20, 10 years ago, or even songs from just last year. They have and will continue to stand the test of time, and the audience in Shipshewana knew it. 

Of course, an important factor to be considered in this enthusiasm from the audience is how absolutely mind-blowing Raúl Malo’s voice is. He sounded every bit as good live as he does on any of The Mavericks’ studio recordings, and it looks like it comes so effortlessly to him. Vocally, his may be the greatest live performance I’ve seen by any band; he’s that incredible. He was born to sing, and his passion for doing so was evident in his performance. 

As incredible as Raúl Malo’s voice is, he by no means makes the show all about him. Every player on stage was given several of their own opportunities to shine throughout the show, and it’s clear that The Mavericks only tour with the best of the best. With every solo taken, it became more and more evident to me that the show would not have been the same if one of those players wasn’t there. 

Speaking of the other players, a very obvious audience favorite was accordionist Percy Cardona, and this kickoff of the En Español tour was also his first tour date playing with The Mavericks (though he has played with them for various other events and video performances). I couldn’t help but feel proud out in the audience as the people around me cheered for him because I know him from all his work with another one of my favorite bands, The Last Bandoleros. No matter what band he’s with, he plays with every ounce of his being and always wins the audience over. It was so much fun getting to see him do his thing!

Sitting several rows back, it was fascinating to me to watch audience reactions and responses to songs. I couldn’t help but notice that the Willie Nelson cover, “Angel Too Close to the Ground,” was an audience favorite (and a favorite of mine too!). Malo’s voice was especially beautiful on this ballad, and this song functioned for me as a chance to slow down, stop the dancing, and let the music in the room wash over me, something I’ve been missing so greatly since the pandemic began. The Mavericks did an excellent job of incorporating ballads like this into the show, keeping the show balanced without losing all of its energy. You’ve got to take a break from dancing sometimes!

On the other side of the sonic spectrum of audience favorites were two songs saved for the encore, “Come Unto Me,” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.” I don’t think there was a single person still in their seats for these two songs. The way they were performed almost commanded getting up on your feet and dancing, and that’s what everyone I could see was doing. During these two songs especially, it was such a delight to look around and see everyone dancing and enjoying the show in their own way. There was so much joy in the room that I hope the band could see as clearly as I did, and after so long without shows, the energy in that room during these two songs was nothing short of magical. 

As for me, I was especially entranced by the songs from En Español, and one of my favorites from the album was held for the encore. After what seemed like hours of enthusiastic applause, Raúl Malo and trumpetist Lorenzo Molina returned to the stage play what may very well have been my favorite segment of the whole show. To pay tribute to the country of Cuba and show support for Cuban freedom, the pair performed the Cuban classic, “Guantanamera.” The simplicity of just one voice, one guitar, and one trumpet made this moment especially beautiful, and the pair had the room’s full attention. Then, Malo and his guitar began “La Sitiera” off The Mavericks’ latest record, En Español. I can’t speak for the rest of the audience, but I found this moment, with just Malo’s voice and his guitar, to be hypnotizing. It was raw – there was no room for error – and when the rest of the band kicked in, I was in musical heaven. This song is one of my favorites off of En Español, and hearing it live was such a treat. 

I could write a paragraph about every song they played, but I’ll leave it that. If I haven’t convinced you how good this band is and how incredible this show was, there’s simply no hope for you. All jokes aside, take a look at their audio stream of the show on their Facebook page and you’ll see what I mean. The Mavericks aren’t just an amazing band in the studio, they’re an insanely talented live band too, and after 30 years going at it, that’s quite the accomplishment.

Not only are they delivering studio quality sounds live, they’re having tons of fun doing it. It’s easy to see as much when you watch Jerry Dale McFadden hopping and dancing around his keyboards, or guitarist Eddie Perez walking over and egging on the front few rows on his side of the stage, or Percy Cardona, trumpetists Lorenzo Molina and Julio Diaz, and saxophonist Max Abrams line dancing when they aren’t playing. Every musician on that stage is passionate about the show they’re playing. They’re having just as much fun as the audience, and their happiness is contagious!

Take it from me, the En Español World Tour is not something you want to miss out on. Whether you’ve seen The Mavericks live before or not, go get your tickets while there’s still some available. I promise you, you’re not going to regret it! View tour dates here.

Listen to the audio from the show!

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Interview: Joyous Wolf at Upheaval Fest

Just finishing up a huge tour with Dirty Honey on the California Dreaming Tour and their second festival this year, Joyous Wolf brings the California heat to West Michigan for Upheaval Fest.

Fresh off their set, frontman Nick Reese & dummer Robert Sodaro and I had a fun throwback interview discussing our hometown area of Southern California, tour date areas they enjoyed, and more. 

If you have never had the chance to experience Joyous Wolf live, they need to be added to your 2021 bucket-list now. Singer Nick Reese not only vocally sounds amazing live and has a matured voice beyond his years, he has John Travolta Saturday Night Fever dance moves. During our interview he even stated it’s rare that he has a catwalk to preform on, and he took for advantage of that. If you were just walking into the festival grounds hearing Joyous Wolf playing, you would swear it was Slash on guitar shredding away as guitarist Blake Allard ripped on his maple top Gibson Les Paul. It was also refreshing to be able to hear bass riffs as well from Greg Braccio as sometimes that gets lost in the mix board for main stage acts early on, and drummer Robert Sodaro was like the Animal from The Muppets, he was possessed and had the festival Voodoo magic taking control of him. 

These southern California boys have a big sound for being a rock-n-roll four piece band, and they’re taking 2021 by the Covid horns and letting you know who they are. 

Checkout our full interview below and be on the lookout for their new single “Fearless” dropping 7/30.